Acute organic solvent toxic encephalopathy: A case report and literature review

Organic solvents are a class of volatile, lipophilic substances that can easily enter the human body through skin and mucous membrane contact as well as air inhalation, and can lead to toxic encephalopathy (TE), especially after entering the lipid-rich nervous system. The present case reports a patient with acute organic solvent toxic encephalopathy (AOSTE), which may have been caused by occasional ink leakage from Xuzhou (Jiangsu, China). By summarizing the history the patient to exposure to organic solvents, clinical manifestations, radiology findings and relevant laboratory tests, we hypothesize that a history of ink exposure, brain magnetic resonance imaging findings and hippuric acid testing were indispensable factors in the diagnosis of AOSTE. After neurological treatment, the patient experienced notable improvement in symptoms. The present study reports on its clinical features, imaging features, treatment and follow-up, and review relevant literature to summarize its clinical experience, hoping to improve our understanding of AOSTE.